DNA and encoded protein which regulates cold and dehydration regulated genes

Abstract

A gene, designated as CBF1, encoding a protein, CBF1, which binds to a region regulating expression of genes which promote cold temperature and dehydration tolerance in plants is described. CBF1 is used to transform microorganisms and can be used to transform plants.

We claim: 
     
       1. A binding protein in isolated form comprising an amino acid sequence homologous to sufficiently homologous to an AP2 domain of SEQ. ID. No. 2 that the protein binds to a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCG. 
     
     
       2. The binding protein according to claim 1 wherein the amino acid sequence comprises the AP2 domain of SEQ. ID. No. 2. 
     
     
       3. The binding protein according to claim 1 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCGAC. 
     
     
       4. The binding protein according to claim 1 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
       5. The binding protein according to claim 1 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region of Arabidopsis thaliana or a homologous regulatory region of another plant species. 
     
     
       6. A binding protein in isolated form comprising an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to SEQ. ID. No. 2 that the protein binds to a cold or dehydration transcripion regulating region comprising a sequence CCG. 
     
     
       7. The binding protein according to claim 6 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCGAC. 
     
     
       8. The binding protein according to claim 6 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
       9. The binding protein according to claim 6 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region of Arabidopsis thaliana or a homologous regulatory region of another plant species. 
     
     
       10. A binding protein in isolated form comprising an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. No. 2. 
     
     
       11. A composition comprising: a binding protein in isolated form comprising an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to an AP2 domain of SEQ. ID. No. 2 that the protein binds to a cold or dehydration transcription regulations region comprising a sequence CCG; and   a carrier for introducing the protein into a plant cell.   
     
     
       12. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the amino acid sequence comprises an AP2 domain of SEQ. ID. No. 2. 
     
     
       13. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCGAC. 
     
     
       14. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
       15. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region of Arabidopsis thaliana or a homologous regulatory region of another plant species. 
     
     
       16. A composition comprising: a binding protein in isolated form comprising an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to SEQ. ID. No. 2 that the protein binds to a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCG; and   a carrier for introducing the protein into a plant cell.   
     
     
       17. The composition according to claim 16 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence CCGAC. 
     
     
       18. The composition according to claim 16 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
       19. The composition according to claim 16 wherein the protein is capable of binding to and activating a cold or dehydration transcription regulating region of Arabidopsis thaliana or a homologous regulatory region of another plant species. 
     
     
       20. The composition according to claim 16 wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. No. 2.